Hi! If I’m not mistaken I believe you are talking about McCall. My husband and I grew up in McCall in the 70-90s, both my parents worked for the payers forest service and my mom was the “secretary” for the smokejumpers for a time in the late 70s. As an elementary student I recall watching them during recess do their drills and stuff at their buildings snd grounds across from our school, and after school while I waited for mom to get off work. Ogling the smokejumpers was a thing I was vaguely aware the high school girls (in a small town the elementary was in the same building as the high school) did on their lunch breaks. ;)
My family was in that town during the final best years, before the mansions totally took over the lake front property in our tiny town. Our after school activity was to ride the school bus to the Little Ski Hill (that was the actual name) where a locker held our ski pass and gear, no lock required, and we’d ski til dark, charging hot chocolate and a hamburger on the family account and making endless runs down the hill until our folks would retrieve us at dark- or after if we got lucky!
I met my husband at 9 years old there (40+ years ago) and we are blessed to have had it as the very best place to have a childhood.
It’s different there now, just as you describe, but your blog today brought it all back for me and I’m basking in the warm memories. Even if they closed our favorite pancake house.
I knew what you meant - no worries! And you're right! This comment brought me so much joy. I called my parents and read it aloud to them. Every time we drive past Little Ski Hill my dad tells the same story. Appreciate you reading and sharing in these memories!
Thank you so much for your reply, it just made my day. That I stumbled across your Substack was my good luck! (it was in an email recommending different Substackers or someone else I read recommended from who they read or something like that) and I immediately saw so many connections to what you write I've stuck around! Thanks Substack!!
For instance, since 2017 my husband and I have lived in a very small and very tight-nit community (current pop around 2000, it's not 180 small but it's small enough I see about the same 100 people over and over) in the remote mountains of Oregon where the attitude of locals is basically if you aren't from the lineage that was here when they broke dirt in the 1870s you're automatically suspect lol - even after 4 years it still feels like a struggle to prove I'm worthy of being welcomed into the fold. Probably my fault a bit, my husband is all over the place socializing but I have struggled with making friends my whole life - I'm shy at first but I'm a fun person, honestly! I'm just the awkward girl that people have commented (right to my face!) they thought I was just "bitchy" until they got to know me, haha, for that I credit my uncontrollable RBF (resting bitch face) which even at almost 55 obviously masks my personal insecurities still ;) Your post about wanting a friend really hit home. Like much of the other things you write I can totally relate.
Anyway, I thoroughly enjoy your writing style, you write like I speak so it feels natural in my head. Reading about your dad, touched me, aside from his life being cool as H and that your mom's an obvious badass, I too have a dad I adore who has had a life like no other. I sent him this post, he loved it as much as I did and agreed that it was likely McCall. (the lake, the sawmill and the pancakes were a few of my biggest clues ;) )
The post about your avalanche rescue training - wow, that exhausted me just to read. How wise you are to be ready though. Your parents have a lot to be proud of in you.
As always, Kelton, thank you for sharing such poignant moments in your family history. You write in a voice that I look forward to “hear” every Sunday!
I live in one of those just-barely-tapped mountain ski towns in Canada, but it's happening... housing prices are up, everyone + dog is moving here. I'm one of those remote-work imports but I'm determined to be someone that keeps it awesome vs. makes it suck. I hurt my wrist snowboarding last weekend and I'm just not feeling it...this is further confirmation that skiing is the way to go... -- first of your writing that I've read, such a great tribute and photos.
"determined to be someone that keeps it awesome vs. makes it suck" you and me both! Appreciate you reading <3 hang in there with that wrist. Although I can't say skiing won't do the same thing. I can barely turn my head after all the face-planting I did in the backcountry this weekend. 😂
I loved reading this (and all your newsletters!) I've been around since the tumblr days, and your writing has always been a joy, no matter what the topic.
I just ran across your Substack while checking for new writers to follow, and read a few of your pieces. I love your writing style, and I share some things with you (although, at age 75, my adventurous outdoors days are behind me): I grew up in Montana, moved to Denver for college, and never left. I now live in a log house in the mountains west of Boulder, and have become involved with my local volunteer fire department as a volunteer. And I just finished Heather Hansman's (sp?) book "Powder Days" -- loved it; I knew characters just like her subjects (and your dad) back in the day. Speaking of your dad, this piece just pushed me over the edge, so I am off to become a paid subscriber. You are so lucky to have him in your life: I lost mine in 2009 and still miss him terribly). Selfishly, I hope you "stick" where you are now so that I can continue to enjoy your "almost local" CO life (I have a pretty good idea of where you must be) vicariously.
That means so much to me! I'm so glad you liked it enough to become a subscriber. And I think I'm here for the long haul. We moved here with the intention of this being where we raise kids, so fingers crossed! Gonna send my dad a text now <3
Thanks for sharing this with all these details! Very well written, and moving. I normally don’t read such long mails if they are not work related, but this hooked me! Thanks again!
Hi! If I’m not mistaken I believe you are talking about McCall. My husband and I grew up in McCall in the 70-90s, both my parents worked for the payers forest service and my mom was the “secretary” for the smokejumpers for a time in the late 70s. As an elementary student I recall watching them during recess do their drills and stuff at their buildings snd grounds across from our school, and after school while I waited for mom to get off work. Ogling the smokejumpers was a thing I was vaguely aware the high school girls (in a small town the elementary was in the same building as the high school) did on their lunch breaks. ;)
My family was in that town during the final best years, before the mansions totally took over the lake front property in our tiny town. Our after school activity was to ride the school bus to the Little Ski Hill (that was the actual name) where a locker held our ski pass and gear, no lock required, and we’d ski til dark, charging hot chocolate and a hamburger on the family account and making endless runs down the hill until our folks would retrieve us at dark- or after if we got lucky!
I met my husband at 9 years old there (40+ years ago) and we are blessed to have had it as the very best place to have a childhood.
It’s different there now, just as you describe, but your blog today brought it all back for me and I’m basking in the warm memories. Even if they closed our favorite pancake house.
Thank you for this entry today.
That’s Payette Forest - dang autocorrect made it “payers”
I knew what you meant - no worries! And you're right! This comment brought me so much joy. I called my parents and read it aloud to them. Every time we drive past Little Ski Hill my dad tells the same story. Appreciate you reading and sharing in these memories!
Thank you so much for your reply, it just made my day. That I stumbled across your Substack was my good luck! (it was in an email recommending different Substackers or someone else I read recommended from who they read or something like that) and I immediately saw so many connections to what you write I've stuck around! Thanks Substack!!
For instance, since 2017 my husband and I have lived in a very small and very tight-nit community (current pop around 2000, it's not 180 small but it's small enough I see about the same 100 people over and over) in the remote mountains of Oregon where the attitude of locals is basically if you aren't from the lineage that was here when they broke dirt in the 1870s you're automatically suspect lol - even after 4 years it still feels like a struggle to prove I'm worthy of being welcomed into the fold. Probably my fault a bit, my husband is all over the place socializing but I have struggled with making friends my whole life - I'm shy at first but I'm a fun person, honestly! I'm just the awkward girl that people have commented (right to my face!) they thought I was just "bitchy" until they got to know me, haha, for that I credit my uncontrollable RBF (resting bitch face) which even at almost 55 obviously masks my personal insecurities still ;) Your post about wanting a friend really hit home. Like much of the other things you write I can totally relate.
Anyway, I thoroughly enjoy your writing style, you write like I speak so it feels natural in my head. Reading about your dad, touched me, aside from his life being cool as H and that your mom's an obvious badass, I too have a dad I adore who has had a life like no other. I sent him this post, he loved it as much as I did and agreed that it was likely McCall. (the lake, the sawmill and the pancakes were a few of my biggest clues ;) )
The post about your avalanche rescue training - wow, that exhausted me just to read. How wise you are to be ready though. Your parents have a lot to be proud of in you.
Bless you and again, thank you.
Heidi
Very moving. Thanks much (from your favorite ski bum) 😘
Love you pops.
Love it! And those vintage pics of your dad are just...*chef's kiss*
They're about to be on their way to the framer once I can get some originals!
As always, Kelton, thank you for sharing such poignant moments in your family history. You write in a voice that I look forward to “hear” every Sunday!
Thank you so much! That really means a lot to me.
I LOVE reading what you write! Every. Damn. Time!
Ugh, appreciate you. Thank you so much.
This is really beautiful. Thank you for sharing your dad with us.
My mom in the background, "WHERE'S MY TRIBUTE?" lol <3
I'm always envious of the people working at the mountain.. summer or winter. In my mind, it is the best gig around. Your Dad is awesome.
I live in one of those just-barely-tapped mountain ski towns in Canada, but it's happening... housing prices are up, everyone + dog is moving here. I'm one of those remote-work imports but I'm determined to be someone that keeps it awesome vs. makes it suck. I hurt my wrist snowboarding last weekend and I'm just not feeling it...this is further confirmation that skiing is the way to go... -- first of your writing that I've read, such a great tribute and photos.
"determined to be someone that keeps it awesome vs. makes it suck" you and me both! Appreciate you reading <3 hang in there with that wrist. Although I can't say skiing won't do the same thing. I can barely turn my head after all the face-planting I did in the backcountry this weekend. 😂
Your photo comments are the absolute best!! My favorite post so far 🥰
Aw thank you!! So glad my parents were able to dig these up haha
Now I understand. 💕
💛💛💛
Nice tribute and great portrait of the ski bum; his humor, joy and passions.
Lovely!
I loved reading this (and all your newsletters!) I've been around since the tumblr days, and your writing has always been a joy, no matter what the topic.
the Tumblr fam is still the most loyal and incredible group of people I've ever met.
I just ran across your Substack while checking for new writers to follow, and read a few of your pieces. I love your writing style, and I share some things with you (although, at age 75, my adventurous outdoors days are behind me): I grew up in Montana, moved to Denver for college, and never left. I now live in a log house in the mountains west of Boulder, and have become involved with my local volunteer fire department as a volunteer. And I just finished Heather Hansman's (sp?) book "Powder Days" -- loved it; I knew characters just like her subjects (and your dad) back in the day. Speaking of your dad, this piece just pushed me over the edge, so I am off to become a paid subscriber. You are so lucky to have him in your life: I lost mine in 2009 and still miss him terribly). Selfishly, I hope you "stick" where you are now so that I can continue to enjoy your "almost local" CO life (I have a pretty good idea of where you must be) vicariously.
That means so much to me! I'm so glad you liked it enough to become a subscriber. And I think I'm here for the long haul. We moved here with the intention of this being where we raise kids, so fingers crossed! Gonna send my dad a text now <3
Thanks for sharing this with all these details! Very well written, and moving. I normally don’t read such long mails if they are not work related, but this hooked me! Thanks again!
Ohhhhh now this is a compliment. Would you mind if I used this as a testimonial?
Please do, I’d be delighted! Thank you!